A Photo Finish for 2018 Clean Team Ambassador of the Year Scott Siemers

Shared from King County Superior Court and Downtown Seattle Association King County Superior Court has several treatment programs. One of the programs is Family Treatment Court. The Downtown Seattle Association recently voted a 2016 Family Treatment Court graduate Scott Siemers the DSA Clean Street Ambassador of 2018! Enjoy!  The judge asked for a picture of Scott Siemers. Not for legal reasons, but to celebrate his graduation from the treatment program that successfully reunited Siemers with his three-year-old daughter and fiance. It was a good day, and Siemers ended it by getting married. Siemers has… Read More

Workforce Magazine Presents 2018 Game Changer Award

For someone new to HR, Zackary King has the drive, humility and forethought of a true Game Changer. The Public Health, Seattle & King County Education Engagement Strategy (EES) Program nominated Public Health Human Resources Analyst Zack King for Workforce Magazine’s Game Changer Award. King is now one of 25 recipients of this national recognition. The Game Changer Award recognizes King’s support of strategic plans for Public Health Environmental Health Services Division’s Office of Equity. The EES Program conveyed appreciation and seeks to expand its partnership with Public Health’s HR team. Zack’s activities supported: Public Health’s focus… Read More

Pet of the Week: Mark

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Gentle giant Mark is our Pet of the Week! This five-year-old Siberian Husky loves to be around people. His personality color is “Bashful Blue,” meaning he can be a little shy at first. But, once he gets comfortable, Mark is a very happy and easy-going boy. Mark has been in a foster home for a few months while he was recovering from some digestive issues. He lived with two dogs, a cat, and children ages 9 and 15. He got along well with everyone, but did want… Read More

Teams trying to save ailing orca practice feeding live fish off Lummi Nation boat and SoundGuardian

The King County SoundGuardian was featured in a recent article by the Associated Press, highlighting its participation in efforts to save a sick orca whale in Puget Sound. Teams taking drastic measures to save a young, ailing killer whale loaded up two boats with fat live salmon as the sun rose Friday and rushed to waters off Washington state’s San Juan Island, preparing if needed to test-feed the critically endangered orca a day after injecting it with medicine. By early afternoon, it appeared the 3½-year-old female orca called J50 was too far north… Read More

Boogie up the Block with the Archives Saturday!

Archives will be participating in the Boogie up the Block Urban Arts Festival, coordinated by our neighbors at Washington Hall. The walls of the Archives and Records Center will once again provide a surface for the Graffiti Mural Competition. Images from last year’s event can be seen on Bytes and Boxes. Archives will also have a table at the Street Arts Festival, featuring their new “photo booth” that allows people to become part of King County history today!

CHOMP! in Your Big Backyard Saturday

Enjoy a full day of activities at CHOMP!, King County’s celebration of local farming, food, and sustainability, Saturday at King County’s Marymoor Park! King County Parks is has another great music line-up this year! Enjoy free performances by Matisyahu, Caspar Babypants, The True Loves, and more. For more details about CHOMP!, visit chomplocal.org and follow updates via the event Facebook page. Eat Well. Live Well. at CHOMP! See you Saturday!

Internship program breaks barriers for young people most affected by inequities

King County is helping to break down barriers to well-paid jobs and career success for young people through an innovative internship and mentorship program that intentionally prioritizes young people with the greatest needs. The Lift Every Youth Employment & Mentorship Program aims to help youth and young adults who are disproportionately affected by discrimination, bias and oppression. These conditions lead greater barriers to meaningful employment, post-secondary education opportunities, and impact overall health and life outcomes. “One of the meta-goals is to ensure the county is playing its role as an employer to… Read More

More food trucks, games, music and more at City Hall Park

Today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Paparepas food truck will be out at City Hall Park next to the Courthouse Building serving Venezuelan arepas, empanadas, and its famous quesillo dessert and tequeños. Thursday, the Mobile Mayan will be at the park serving fresh, authentic Mexican food. And Friday, check out Don Lucho’s as they serve traditional Peruvian dishes as sandwiches. The trucks will be in City Hall Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. between 3rd and 4th Avenues, just south of the Courthouse Building. You can see the upcoming… Read More

Monitoring beach water keeps people and animals safe

Before heading out to your favorite swimming hole this summer you may want to check in on King County’s Swim Beach Monitoring Program to see if there is any bacteria or algal lurking in the water that could make you sick. “There may be multiple bacterial sources for high fecal coliform counts,” states Debra Bouchard, senior limnologist and water quality planner with King County Water and Land Resources Division. “Potential sewage spills are the highest concern because of the increased risk of transferring disease from a human source.” Other risks include fecal… Read More

Employees of Color Share Their Stories of Racism

Earlier this year the King County ESJ Literary Project invited employees of color to share stories of times they were affected by racism. The project reflects King County’s commitment to addressing the historical and persistent inequities in our communities that result from race. Such inequities are experienced by the county’s own employees, both on and off the job. The project received more than two dozen stories, which are available now to read at http://untoldstoryproject.blog. Sign up to attend one of the performances in which local poets and performance artists will read aloud… Read More